There was something so beautifully simple about the design of Fisher-Price's Little People in their prime: that circle face and peg shaped body that has allowed for so much imaginative play for so many children across the last 60 years. But Little People haven't always looked the way I remember them, or how my kids know them now. So...just what happened to the Little People?  

Placemat & Portion Plate

• $15/$18
• Georgie Porgie

Promote healthy eating habits with these colorful reminders on your table. The plate is melamine; the placemat is linen cotton canvas. "Eat a Rainbow Every Day!"

It's that time again — when parents wish their kids would just go outside and play already! When I was a kid, building forts was a major part of my outdoor life. Living on the East Coast with plenty of wooded areas helped. Often, we didn't even need to build anything, and just found an overgrown nook somewhere.

Checkers is an underrated game. Am I right? It's relatively easy to learn, can be played with varying levels of strategy, and if you make this carpet version, it's quiet as all get out.

Perhaps I'm jumping the gun with these toys that remind me of the good old summertime, but we've already had some warm days, the ice cream truck's infectious jingle has been wafting through the air and I put sunscreen on my kids this past weekend. I can't help it - I'm in the mood. 

Last week I posted five IKEA hacks for the adult set. Now it's the kids turn, with equally impressive projects based on furniture from our favorite Swedish furniture giant. Some are just a coat of paint and others require a little more commitment. All are worthy.   

Anti-Plastic Beach Toys 

• $19.99
• Franklin Goose

This 5-piece set is notable for what it's made of - or not made out of. Corn-based instead of petroleum, it would fully break down in 3 years if it were swept out to sea.

Do your kids start talking about their next birthday within days of the birthday they've just celebrated? My daughter is super prepared - she started planning her next birthday 11 months in advance. Every week she adds a new element.

When Kickstarted launched I thought it was a neat idea, but I didn't expect it would really work. Boy was I wrong. Kickstarter has helped launch products, musicians, films, and all kinds of projects. Every once in a while I like to poke around and check out projects aimed at kids. Here are 5 currently looking to get a kick out of you.